Speed Thrills: The Peregrine Falcon Tops Out At A Speed Faster Than Your McLaren | car News @ Top Speed Speed Thrills: The Peregrine Falcon tops out at a speed faster than your McLaren News The cheetah may reign supreme as the fastest animal on land , but when you take into account the air above and the water below, the title of fastest animal on the planet belongs to the Peregrine Falcon. When considering the broad scope of the fastest animal on the planet, the Top 10 list would probably consist mostly of birds, but in fairness to the land and water-based creatures, we’re going to hold the Peregrine Falcon and other high-speed birdies in a different category altogether. You see, when measuring the speed of birds based on traveling speed measured in level flying, the Peregrine Falcon isn’t the king of the air. Actually, it doesn’t even crack the Top 10. The title for fastest bird in this kind of flight goes to the Spine-Tailed Swift, which can hit a top level flying speed of 106 mph.

Compare that to the Peregrine Falcon, which can hit a top speed of just about 60 mph in level flight - impressive in its own right, but not Top 10 material - and the Spine-Tailed Swift blows it out of the water. So, how is this bird considered the fastest all around and how dare we compare it to a McLaren? Well, hit the jump to find out. continue reading The Peregrine Falcon may be slower than some of its feathered brethren, but - and this is a very big but - it is still considered the fastest bird - actually, the fastest animal altogether - on the planet when it prepares to do its hunting dive called the stoop. What this involves is the Peregrine Falcon soaring to great heights before diving steeply to catch its prey. It is during this stoop that the bird reaches unheard of speeds, easily eclipsing 200 mph - 200 miles per hour, people! - which, in case you didn’t know, is equal to the top speed of supercars like the Ferrari 458 Italia and the McLaren MP4-12C .

Say what you will about this magnificent bird, but when you’re talking to or about a Peregrine Falcon, it’s best to remind everyone that this high-flying falcon is not only considered the fastest bird on the planet, but the fastest animal in all the kingdom as well. Peregrine Falcon, Life History, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology Halcón peregrino (Spanish) Cool Facts People have trained falcons for hunting for over a thousand years, and the Peregrine Falcon was always one of the most prized birds. Efforts to breed the Peregrine in captivity and reestablish populations depleted during the DDT years were greatly assisted by the existence of methods of handling captive falcons developed by falconers. The Peregrine Falcon is a very fast flier, averaging 40-55 km/h (25-34 mph) in traveling flight, and reaching speeds up to 112 km/h (69 mph) in direct pursuit of prey.

During its spectacular hunting stoop from heights of over 1 km (0.62 mi), the peregrine may reach speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph) as it drops toward its prey. The Peregrine Falcon is one of the most widespread birds in the world. It is found on all continents except Antarctica, and on many oceanic islands. The oldest recorded Peregrine Falcon was at least 19 years, 9 months old, when it was identified by its band in Minnesota in 2012, the same state where it had been banded in 1992. Habitat Mountains The word "peregrine" means "wanderer" or "pilgrim," and Peregrine Falcons occur all over the world. In North America they breed in open landscapes with cliffs (or skyscrapers) for nest sites. They can be found nesting at elevations up to about 12,000 feet, as well as along rivers and coastlines or in cities, where the local Rock Pigeon populations offer a reliable food supply.

In migration and winter you can find Peregrine Falcons in nearly any open habitat, but with a greater likelihood along barrier islands, mudflats, coastlines, lake edges, and mountain chains. Food Birds Peregrine Falcons eat mostly birds, of an enormous variety—450 North American species have been documented as prey, and the number worldwide may be as many as 2,000 species. They have been observed killing birds as large as a Sandhill Crane, as small as a hummingbird, and as elusive as a White-throated Swift. Typical prey include shorebirds, ptarmigan, ducks, grebes, gulls, storm-petrels, pigeons, and songbirds including jays, thrushes, longspurs, buntings, larks, waxwings, and starlings. Peregrine Falcons also eat substantial numbers of bats. They occasionally pirate prey, including fish and rodents, from other raptors. Behavior Aerial Dive Peregrine Falcons are very strong fliers and often reported to be the fastest bird in the world. Their average cruising flight speed is 24 to 33 mph, increasing to 67 mph when in pursuit of prey.

When stooping, or dropping on prey with their wings closed, it's been calculated that Peregrine Falcons can achieve speeds of 238 mph. One researcher studied trained Peregrine Falcons while skydiving and described their body position while diving at 150 mph and 200 mph. When hunting, Peregrines start by watching from a high perch or by flapping slowly or soaring at great height. Stoops begin 300–3,000 feet above their prey and end either by grabbing the prey or by striking it with the feet hard enough to stun or kill it. They then catch the bird and bite through the neck to kill it. Peregrine Falcons do have other hunting methods, including level pursuit, picking birds out of large flocks, and occasionally even hunting on the ground. Though the Peregrine Falcon is an elite predator, it does have its own predators, including Gyrfalcons, eagles, Great Horned owls, and other Peregrines.

status via IUCN Least Concern The Peregrine Falcon has slowly been recovering after populations crashed in 1950-1970 because of DDT poisoning; at this time the eastern population was extirpated and it was declared an Endangered Species. But since 1966 populations appear to have stabilized according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population to be 140,000 with 17% spending some part of the year in the U.S., 5% in Canada, and 5% in Mexico. This U.S.-Canada Stewardship species rates a 9 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score and is not on the 2014 State of the Birds Watch List . The Peregrine Falcon's recovery is due to pesticide bans and extensive efforts that were made to reestablish birds in East, beginning with the work of Tom Cade in 1970 at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which eventually developed into The Peregrine Fund . The species recovered enough to be removed from the Endangered Species List in 1999. Back to Top Credits White, C. M., N.

J. Clum, T. J. Cade, and W. G. Hunt. 2002. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) . In The Birds of North America No. 660 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America Online, Ithaca, New York. North American Bird Conservation Initiative, U.S. Committee. 2014. State of the Birds 2014 Report . U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, DC. Peregrine Falcon | Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: Raptor Conservation, Education, Observation & Research Male Peregrine Falcons weigh as little as 450 grams; females weigh as much as 1,500 grams. Cruise in level flight at 40-55 mph and stoop at up to 200 mph. Sometimes stalk their prey on foot after prey have sought cover. European and North American populations of Peregrine Falcons declined in the middle of the 20th Century as a result of the misuse of DDT and other pesticides. Populations of Peregrine Falcons have recently rebounded in both North America and Europe.

Seasonal Count – from North Lookout – 1934 to Date Note– no counts were made in years 1943, 1944 and 1945 Peregrine Falcon Raptor Facts Introduction The word peregrine, which is Latin for “wanderer,” aptly describes this nearcosmopolitan and often highly migratory falcon. Peregrines are found on every continent except Antarctica and some individuals migrate distances up to 25,000 km annually. Although widely distributed, the Peregrine Falcon is common in only a few places. The species occurs in an extraordinary array of natural habitats, as well as in urban areas. With speed, agility, and a trademark high-velocity stoop, the Peregrine Falcon is often considered to be the perfect flying machine. The species is a powerful hunter that is well suited for capturing avian prey. For centuries Peregrine Falcons have been prized for falconry, especially the larger females. These “masters of the sky” are fast and maneuverable, not only when chasing prey but also while performing aerial courtship and territorial displays.

There are 19 subspecies of Peregrine Falcons, three of which are found in North America. Populations of this naturally rare species declined across North America during the 20th Century due to widespread use of DDT. Peregrine populations were extirpated from most of the species’ original range in the East, and most populations elsewhere experienced declines as well. When Peregrine Falcons consume pesticide-laden prey, the pesticides accumulate in the peregrine’s fatty tissues and eventually interfere with an individual’s ability to produce eggshells of adequate thickness, thereby reducing reproductive success. Fortunately, a ban on the widespread use of DDT in 1972, coupled with extensive recovery efforts involving captive propagation and release and the species own reproductive determination, enabled the Peregrine Falcon to rebound to pre DDT-era levels. Identification The Peregrine Falcon is a long-winged, medium-sized falcon. Adult peregrines have bluish-gray upperparts and a blackish head. The species has dark mustachial marks on the sides of its face, whitish cheeks, whitish or buffy underparts with black spotting or bars, and gray or black barring on the undersides of its wings and tail.

Young peregrines look similar to adults except that their upperparts are slate-colored to chocolate-brown and their underparts are buffy with black streaks. Female peregrines are 15-20% larger and 40-60% heavier than males. Breeding Habits Peregrine Falcons breed in a variety of different habitats across North America. The species prefers to nest on cliffs, and the presence of suitable nest sites often determines its distribution and density. Peregrines nest in a variety of cliff types including overlooking rivers and lakes, coastal areas, and mountain valleys. They also nest on rocky islands. A nest site must afford protection from the weather and potential predators, and it must be in or near areas with an adequate prey base. Peregrines prefer to nest on tall cliffs, and nest success increases with the height and protective nature of the nest site. Peregrine Falcons avoid nesting near potential predators such as Golden Eagles and Great-Horned Owls. Successful breeders rarely change nest sites, and preferred nest locations are passed down from generation to generation. It is not uncommon for a site to be occupied for decades and, sometimes, for centuries.

Peregrines often reuse not only the same cliffs, but also the same individual ledge. Nest sites vacated during the DDT era are again being used, indicating that the use of specific sites probably involves more than simple tradition. The peregrine’s tenacity to specific sites makes it relatively easy to study its reproductive success, and also has aided in its reintroduction. The species also nests in tree cavities and in the stick nests of other species, on the ground, and on manmade structures. Historically, peregrines were known to nest on old buildings in small towns, but few were observed in urban environments. This changed during the Peregrine Falcon’s reintroduction as individuals were raised and released into cities. Today, peregrines breed in many major urban areas that provide tall buildings for nest sites and ample pigeons and rats to feed upon. In 2000, there were 14 pairs of Peregrine Falcons breeding in New York City. Peregrines usually breed when they are 2 or 3 years old.

Individuals that are unable to acquire nesting territories do not breed until they are older, and individuals in populations that are below carrying capacity sometimes attempt to breed at one or two years of age. Peregrines perform awe-inspiring aerial displays during courtship. The male engages in a series of acrobatic maneuvers that may include power dives, roller coaster-like flights, loop-the-loops, and figure eight flights back and forth in front of the nesting cliff. Following such displays, both the male and the female soar together. In a feigned attack, one member of the pair may dive toward the other and, in response, the “attacked” individual will roll over and presents its talons. The pair sometimes lock talons, and touch their breasts or bills together. In some cases, food is exchanged in the air. Males transfer food to the female beak-to-beak, talon-to- talon, and by dropping it to the female as she flies underneath. When reintroduction efforts began, conservationists were concerned that peregrines would not breed in the confines of small enclosures that prohibited aerial courtship.

Fortunately, this was not the case, and the lack of courtship flights did not prevent peregrines from breeding in captivity. Peregrines lay their eggs in a nest depression called a “scrape.” To make the nest scrape, a falcon pushes its feet backward while lying on its breast to create a small depression in the substrate. Peregrines build scrapes not only on ledges, but also when using the nests of other birds. No material is added to the scrape. Usually the male begins constructing the scrape, but sometimes both males and females are involved in the modest construction process. In some cases the male prepares several scrapes on the same ledge or on nearby ledges. Food and weather often affect productivity. Typically three to four eggs are laid usually at two to three day intervals, and pairs only raise one brood per year. Incubation generally begins when the last egg is laid. In northern areas, incubation begins after the first egg is laid and clutches hatch asynchronously. Eggs hatch 33- 35 days after they are laid and the female does most of the incubation.

While the female remains at the nest with the eggs and chicks, the male is responsible for bringing food back to the nest. For the first 8 to 12 days after the chicks hatch, the female broods continually. As the nestling period continues, the amount of time the female broods the chicks decreases. Once the chicks are 3 weeks old, the female leaves the nest more frequently and begins to hunt on her own. The nestling period lasts approximately 4 ½ to 6 weeks. During this time, nestlings gradually learn to eat on their own and become more mobile. By the end of this period, nestlings may have moved from the nest site to nearby ledges. Males, which are smaller than females, develop more rapidly and usually fledge several days earlier than their female counterparts. After fledging, the young stay in the area and are fed by their parents for several weeks. During this time, prey is transferred in the air and to receive food, the young may fly below and roll over underneath the returning parent. Fledglings also chase birds and catch insects during this period.

As their flight capabilities increase, the young take more flights, chase each other, and engage in acrobatics similar to those that occur in courtship displays. After about six weeks, young leave the vicinity of the nest and are on their own. Feeding Habits Peregrine diets differ among regions, habitats, and seasons, as well as among individuals. Peregrines prey primarily on birds, and mammals typically comprise a smaller percentage of their diet. In North America, for example, peregrines feed on more than 420 species of birds, 10 species of bats, and at least 13 other species of mammals. Birds that are taken range in size from warblers to small geese. In places where pigeons and doves occur, they often make up the majority of the peregrine’s diet. Migrating Peregrine Falcons sometimes feed on other smaller raptors, including Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, and Merlins. Peregrines also feed on mammals including bats, lemmings, voles, rats, and squirrels as well as amphibians, fish, and insects.

Prey choice appears to be determined by the vulnerability of the prey, not its abundance. Individual birds often prey selectively on several prey species. Peregrines search for prey while perched as well as when in flight. When breeding, adults often hunt from high perches near the nest. In fall and winter, Peregrine Falcons typically use lower hunting perches. Once a prey item is spotted, peregrines use several means of pursuit to catch their prey including the stoop, direct pursuit, “ringing up” or circling, shepherding, contour-hugging, and running along the ground. Perhaps the best-known technique is the stoop, in which the peregrine dives at high speed from a great height in pursuit of its prey. As they close in on their prey, peregrines pull out of the stoop to pursue and then grab their prey. When they are traveling too fast to grab their prey, peregrines crash directly into it. Peregrines reportedly stoop at speeds of more than 200 miles per hour. Contourhugging involves using features of the landscape that allow the peregrine to remain hidden until it is very close to its prey.

To catch birds that are flying above them, peregrines circle or “ring up” after them. When attacking flocking species, the peregrine uses shepherding and repeatedly dives at the edges of the flock until a bird breaks formation. Peregrine Falcons sometimes walk along the ground in search of nestlings, rodents, insects, and reptiles. Peregrines typically grab their prey with their feet, and usually kill their prey by dislocating its neck vertebrae. Even when an animal is struck and killed as the result of a stoop, peregrines usually still bite and break the animal’s neck before beginning to feed apparently to make certain they have disabled it. Peregrines typically bring their prey to a plucking perch or to a cache site. Small prey items sometimes are consumed in flight. Particularly during the breeding season, excess food often is stored in one or more caches or hiding places. Males sometimes store food on the breeding grounds prior to the female’s arrival and then use this food for courtship feeding. Females may take food from the cache site if their mate is late bringing food back to the nest.

Migration The Peregrine Falcon is one of 26 North American species considered to be a partial migrant. Peregrines are widespread on migration. Although migration begins across a broad front, clearly defined routes eventually become evident and the species often concentrates along leading lines. Individuals exhibit fidelity to specific flyways and typically follow the same route year after year. In eastern North America, the outbound and return routes of some individuals follow an elliptical path in which individuals travel south along the East Coast and return north along the Gulf Coast. Unlike many other raptors, peregrines are not averse to crossing large bodies of water and often are seen along coastlines not so much in avoidance of water, but rather because the coastlines serve as prime hunting areas. Peregrine Falcons regularly cross the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. On their spring migration, many peregrines en route to eastern North America stopover at Padre Island on the Gulf Coast of Texas, which is an important shorebird stopover site. In contrast to coastal watchsites where hundreds of peregrines are sometimes counted, relatively few falcons are seen at inland watchsites in eastern North America.

Some peregrines are long-distance migrants that make one-way journeys of up to 13,000 km. Northern tundra breeders in Greenland and Canada, for example, travel as far south as central Argentina and Chile. Almost all the individuals from tundra and boreal populations migrate, whereas more southerly populations are partially migratory. Continental Peregrine Falcon populations tend to exhibit a “leap-frog” migration pattern in which breeders from northern areas winter to the south of individuals from more southerly locations. Peregrines are low-altitude migrants that generally fly between 100 m and 900 m above the landscape. Although Peregrine Falcons frequently flap on migration, they also soar for long periods. Their average ground speed while migrating in flapping flight is 49 km/hr. Counts of migrants at hawkwatches like Hawk Mountain can be one of the best means of assessing population trends of a species. During the DDT era, counts of migrating peregrines declined precipitously at Hawk Mountain. Since their recovery, increased numbers of peregrines have been observed.

The longterm average autumn count for Hawk Mountain (from 1934-2002) is 26 birds. The average count for the past 10 years (1993-2002) is 44. Conservation Status The current world population of this near cosmopolitan species is believed to be close to 100,000 birds. Historically, peregrines were subject to direct persecution including shooting, trapping, and egg-collecting. Peregrines, along with many other species, were shot at well-known migration spots in the early and mid 1900s. In some instances, pigeon fanciers target peregrines, which they view as a threat to their birds. The greatest 20th Century threat to Peregrine Falcon populations was the widespread use of organochlorine pesticides including DDT. From the mid 1940s until the early 1970s, the widespread use of DDT and similar pesticides for forestry, agriculture, and human disease control resulted in high pesticide levels in most of the prey that peregrines feed upon.

These toxins also accumulated in the Peregrine Falcon’s fatty tissues and subsequently reduced the reproductive success of this species by causing eggshell thinning. As a result, Peregrine Falcon numbers declined significantly in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. In 1970, the Peregrine Falcon was listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Conservation Act, which was the precursor to the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The widespread use of DDT was banned by 1972 and in 1973 peregrines received protection under the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Regional recovery plans for the species were established under the Endangered Species Act. All of these plans sought to reduce the environmental contamination caused by pesticides, and most called for extensive captive propagation and release programs. The release of peregrines propagated in captivity began in 1974. By 1998, almost 7,000 individuals had been released and breeding pairs had reclaimed over 700 territories that had been vacated during the DDT era.

The combined effects of strict legal protection, restoration efforts and the ban on the widespread use of DDT led Peregrine Falcon numbers to begin to increase in the late 1970s. Populations continued to increase in the 1980s and 1990s and by the late 1990s populations had achieved almost full recovery. Despite their recovery to pre-DDT population levels, peregrines are not immune from threats today. Environmental contaminants remain potential sources of mortality for Peregrine Falcons though they have not had population-wide effects like DDT. It is difficult to assess the extent to which habitat loss affects peregrines because the species inhabits a wide range of habitats. As the numbers of Peregrine Falcons in urban areas increase, fatalities result from collisions with buildings, vehicles, aircraft, and wires. When peregrines nest on bridges, the young often fall into the water. World's Deadliest: Superfast Flyer Makes a Kill World's Deadliest: Superfast Flyer Makes a Kill When the peregrine falcon dives for prey, birds in mid-flight don't stand a chance.

The true super-powered king of speed...is about to clobber one of these pigeons. A peregrine falcon may chase a pigeon in one of two ways. The first method...is the flat-out chase. Sometimes it works...but pigeons are fast, too. And when jostling back-and-forth with a peregrine in this mode...prey will occasionally slip away. When this happens, the peregrine can recalibrate...and switch to method number two. It's called the rapid stoop...the dive bomb. The attack begins slowly...then gradually picks up speed. Its wings tucked in, the falcon is approaching 200 miles per hour. It is now the fastest animal on the planet. Against this super-powered speed...the pigeon is defenseless. It's tough to hide from an attack like that. Peregrine Falcon | Audubon Field Guide Falcons Habitat Open country, cliffs (mountains to coast); sometimes cities. Over its wide range, found in wide variety of open habitats, from tundra to desert mountains. Often near water, especially along coast, and migrants may fly far out to sea.

Limited by availability of nest sites and prey; thus, it often moves into cities, nesting on building ledges and feeding on pigeons. One of the world's fastest birds; in power-diving from great heights to strike prey, the Peregrine may possibly reach 200 miles per hour. Regarded by falconers and biologists alike as one of the noblest and most spectacular of all birds of prey. Although it is found on six continents, the Peregrine is uncommon in most areas; it was seriously endangered in the mid-20th century because of the effects of DDT and other persistent pesticides. Photo Gallery Feeding Behavior Often hunts by flying very high, then stooping in spectacular dive to strike prey out of the air. Large prey may be knocked out of the air, fed upon on the ground where it falls. Also pursues prey in level flight, after having spotted it from a perch or while flying. May fly very low over ground or sea, taking prey by surprise. Eggs 3-4, sometimes 2-5, rarely 6. Whitish to pale reddish-brown, heavily marked with warm brown.

Incubation is mostly by female, 32-35 days. Male brings food for female during incubation. Young: Female stays with young at first, while male brings food for her and for young; later, female hunts also. Age of young at first flight 39-49 days. Young Female stays with young at first, while male brings food for her and for young; later, female hunts also. Age of young at first flight 39-49 days. Diet Mostly birds. Feeds on a wide variety of birds. Pigeons are often favored prey around cities, and ducks and shorebirds often taken along coast; known to take prey as large as loons, geese, large gulls, and as small as songbirds. Also eats a few small mammals, seldom insects, rarely carrion. Nesting May mate for life. Territorial and courtship displays include high circling flight by male, spectacular dives and chases by both sexes. Male feeds female. Breeding Peregrines defend the immediate area of the nest from intruders, but hunt over a much larger area.

Nest site is usually on cliff ledge, sometimes in hollow of broken-off tree snag or in old stick nest of other large bird in tree. In some areas, may nest on ground on hilltop. Also uses ledges of buildings, bridges, other structures. Some sites may be used for many years. No nest built, eggs laid in simple scrape. Peregrine Falcon Peregrine Falcon Banded Spring 2000, Indianapolis, Indiana General Information The Peregrine Falcon occurs almost worldwide on every continent except Antarctica. This medium size raptor has inspired awe throughout human history, and has been trained and used by man as an aerial hunter in the ancient art of Falconry. In the middle ages, only royalty could fly this bird from the fist. A once common cliff nester in North America, this species experienced a dramatic population decline between 1950 and 1965, mainly due to pesticide use and habitat loss. Nesting pairs were essentially exterminated east of the Mississippi, and the species was expected to go extinct in North America by 1980.

Thanks to environmental laws coupled with captive breeding programs and aggressive release programs, this bird has made a successful comeback, and again inspires awe when seen stooping on another bird or streaking across a beach in search of its prey. Female Peregrine Falcons are larger then the males, with a wingspan of 43 - 46 inches and weights of from 1 lb. 14 ounces to 2 lb. 11 ounces. The black face head, cheeks and mustach contrast with the white throat and neck. Figure 1- Adult Peregrine Falcon Figure 2 - Peregrine Falcon Peregrine Falcons are aerial hunters, seeking their favorite prey of domestic pigeons and many other bird species. Their horizontal flight speed, ranging from 40 to 60 mph, is not particularly fast, but their amazing speed in a stoop has been clocked at over 200 mph. Peregrine Falcons are cliff nesters, but young captive bred birds restored to cliffs suffer from predation by Great Horned Owls since there are no parental birds to protect them. Successful reintroduction programs, therefore, occur on tall buildings in cities where Great Horned Owls are not a threat.

This photo shows a nest box placed on the top ledge of the Market Tower in downtown Indianapolis. Note the hard hat and protective equipment worn while working around the nest. The adult falcons will attack the biologists and can inflict painful injuries. Figure 3 - Peregrine Falcon nest Figure 4 - Three nestling Peregrine Falcons The comeback of the Peregrine Falcon is largely due to captive breeding and the dedication of wildlife agencies and multitudes of volunteers who place and raise nestlings in new nest sites in various cities across the land. Nestlings successfully raised will often return to a nestbox placed in a city to raise young of their own. The three nestlings shown here are being raised by a pair of falcons that nested in downtown Indianapolis in 2000. Young Peregrine Falcons are banded and studied. This nestling, about 21 days old, still wear their downy feather coat. Note too the flight feathers just starting to break out of their sheaths. Figure 5 - Peregrine Falcon Nestling Figure 6 - Recording Nestling data John Castrale and Amy of the Indiana DNR Non-game program are shown recording data on each young falcon.

This process is a public event, and a wonderful opportunity for the public to witness the hard work up close. The business end of a raptor is its talons. Even this young bird has fully developed legs, feet and talons, and requires careful handling. These talons are true weapons as well as the bird's tools to capture its prey. A flying bird hit by these talons by falcon diving at nearly 200 mph is instantly killed, and probably never sees it coming. Figure 8 - Falcon Bands These are the bands placed on the Peregrine Falcon nestlings. The color code and lettering enable spotters to visually identify individual birds without having to recapture them. A small blood sample is taken from the brachial vein on each young bird to determine its health and if needed, to determine its paternity. Figure 9 - Taking a Blood Sample Figure 10 - Many enjoy the banding event The banding process is a great opportunity for citizens and community leaders to see the results of their dedication and hard work to restore these impressive birds to our world. Elected officials and other community leaders participate in the banding process.

Figure 11 - A photo op for the young birds Figure 12 - Behind the scenes The unsung heroes of every falcon restoration program are the many dedicated volunteers and officials who work behind the scenes well out of public view monitor and record minute data required for each project. This monitoring station is located in the top floor of the Market Tower. Without their efforts, these projects would not be as successful. The TV monitors on the right allow observation of the nestlings and adults in the nest box. Nesting Behavior The Peregrine Falcons prefer to nest on cliffs and bluffs. A nest site, called an eyrie, consists of a shallow scrape that is prepared to hold from 2 to 6 eggs. Historically, nest sites are used year after year, with some nest sites in North America occupied for more than 50 years, and in Europe up to 350 years (Terres 1995). These falcons usually do not breed until about 3 years old. Each egg is incubated for 28-29 days. The female closely broods the young, but the male assumes an increasing important role as they get older.

Young birds fly when 35 to 42 days old, but depend on the parent for an additional two months (Baicich, P. J. & C. J. O. Harrison 1997). Banding Recoveries According to the Bird Banding Lab web site, a total of 31,250 Peregrine Falcons were banded nationwide from 1914 to 1998. Of these, 2,268 have been recovered. Banding studies show that some Falcons are migratory, especially those in northern breeding areas. Individual falcons also wander far and wide, and can live up to 20 years in the wild. Conservation Status Peregrine Falcons prey on a wide variety of bird species. They are efficient predators high on the food chain, and provide a natural control on wild bird populations. Peregrines are also highly regarded by wildlife enthusiasts. Few forget their first encounter with a Peregrine Falcon, and it is likely that none can forget the first time they witnesses a Peregrine Falcon stoop on its prey.

The presence of a nesting pair of Peregrines Falcons can be an economic benefit to a community as many will visit to witness this awesome bird of prey. Literature Cited Baicich, P. J. & C. J. O. Harrison. 1997. A guide to the nests, eggs and nestlings of North American Birds, 2nd ed. Academic Press. Terres, J. K. 1995. The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds. Wings Books, NY. Falcon Facts YouTube Channel THE PEREGRINE falcon's scientific name is Falco Peregrinus, which means Falcon Wanderer. Three subspecies are recognized in North America: F.P. Pealei from the coastal islands off Alaska; F.P. Tundrius, which nests above the tree line in the Arctic; and F.P. Anatum, which once ranged over North America from coast to coast. In the 1960s, scientists discovered that DDT was interfering in the egg shell formation of meat and fish eating birds. Healthy birds were laying eggs so thin they were crushed by the weight of the incubating adult.

By 1965, no Peregrine falcons were fledged in the eastern or Central United States. By 1968, the Peregrine population was completely eradicated east of the Mississippi River. In 1972, use of DDT was severely restricted in the United States and worldwide. BABY FALCONS are called eyasses. They are covered by white down when they are born, which is replaced by feathers in three to five weeks. Although they have a high mortality rate, Peregrines have been known to live as long as 15 years. They usually begin breeding at about two years old. These three young are nesting high atop a power plant stack: power plants have the best production rates in the Midwest. EYASES ARE helpless. One parent (often the female but sometimes the male) stays with the chicks while the other finds food for the brood. Eyases eat an incredible amount of food - but then, they double their weight in only six days and at three weeks will be ten times birth size. Newly hatched chicks are wet and covered with white down. But by three weeks of age, brownish juvenile feathers can be seen poking through the white fuzz.

By five or six weeks of age, the white fuzz has been completely replaced by brown feathers. The eyases can be observed jumping around and testing their wings, getting ready to fly. Above: This BirdCam picture of Smoke and Prescott was taken when the young falcons were about 20 days of age. PEREGRINE FALCONS are about the size and weight of a crow - females are larger and more powerful than males. Adults have slate dark blue-gray wings and backs barred with black, pale undersides, white faces with a black stripe on each cheek, and large, dark eyes. Their wings are long and pointed - Peregrines look, in a nutshell, fast. PEREGRINE FALCONS have been called nature's finest flying machine. They are nature's fastest fliers: Peregrines have been clocked diving, or stooping, at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour! Peregrine falcons feed primarily on birds they take in the air: their prey includes ducks, pheasants, and pigeons. Some of the power plants that RRP works with have seen the resident pigeon population disappear after Peregrines began nesting on site. FALCONRY IS an ancient sport.

It was practiced in China before the year 2000 BC: falconry is also the subject of some of the oldest Egyptian wall paintings. English playwrite William Shakespeare was a falconry fan who introduced falconry terms into popular speech: the word "Hag" or "Haggard" is the term for a mature wild hawk or falcon. Horus, an Egyptian god, was a Peregrine falcon: the "Eye of Horus" is clearly a stylized Peregrine falcon's eye. INSIDE THE egg, the Peregrine chick has its head tucked under its wing. A large muscle called the hatching muscle runs from the middle of the neck to the top of the head. About 30 days after incubation has started, this muscle contracts. The chick's head snaps up and the egg tooth, a hard pointed knob on top of the beak, cracks the inside of the eggshell. This creates a "pip" - a small hole with tiny cracks spreading out across the shell. One to two days after pipping, the chick begins moving around in the shell. The egg tooth scrapes against the eggshell, cutting a ring through it.

33 days after the egg is laid, the chick breaks out. AT ONE time, the type of falcon an Englishman was allowed to own marked his rank. A king, the gyrfalcon; an earl, the peregrine; a yeoman, the goshawk; a priest, the sparrowhawk; and a servant the kestrel. Notable falconers and enthusiasts include Frederick the Second (who wrote what some consider the first book of ornithology), William Shakespeare, Marco Polo, and Ghengis Khan. AT RIGHT around forty days, young Peregrines begin flying. Peregrine parents encourage flight by "baiting" the young with food, which is no longer neatly prepared and fed directly to the young. It is a lot of fun to watch young Peregrines chasing each other and everything else! As in many other species, Peregrine young learn in part through "playing" - however, this play can be deadly serious when hunting is involved. Peregrines hunt and eat other birds and are famed for their speed (stooping, or diving, Peregrines have been clocked at speeds of up to 220mph) and aerial prowess.

Here are some bird fact sheets from one of my OTHER favorite web sites, the Animal Diversity Web

Question: What is the action of a falcon diving on it's prey called
Answer: A stoop